Philosophy and Goals

Each child is accepted, loved, nurtured, and taught as an individual.  Every child is an individual who has his/her own rate of physical development and own pace of learning.  My goal is to…

• Provide a safe place for children to play, create, and learn.

• Encourage and build each child’s imagination and creativity.

• Instill a sense of self worth and encourage self confidence.

• Provide activities and an environment that will nurture the child’s self esteem.

• Every child is guided through the day with positive reinforcement in all activities, always is encouraged to try again, and is never pressured into participation of any activity.

• Discipline is always handled on this belief:  The child is a good person – it is his/her behavior that is unacceptable and needs to be guided to a more acceptable means of expression.

• Children should be children as long as possible without having to fret about life’s worries.  They must also learn to help, share, use manners, and become responsible for their actions.

• Above all else, do my best to have the child gain and keep a positive self image.

While in my care your child will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities, which promote all aspects of development.  Family childcare provides for children the comfort and experience of belonging to an extended family.

I provide a home like setting; therefore I do not follow a strict routine.  My approach to childcare is child centered and child directed.  Children are offered choices whenever possible.

Much of our learning is done with hands on things like Computer, Books, Crafts, etc…

Occupancy & Open Door Policy

 My home is licensed for up to 7 children, and I am available to provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old. I will not be transporting children to and from school at this time. I have an open door policy for all parents.  This means you can stop by during business hours unannounced.  Of course, for safety purposes, my door will be locked. Parents are also free to call and check on their child.  Please leave a message if I cannot answer, and I will return your call in a timely manner.

Enrollment Requirements

 By Oklahoma Law, all of the following forms including up to date immunization records must be submitted and completely filled out as well as the deposit paid before a child enters my care.  All forms are the subject to yearly renewal and must be kept up to date.  NO EXEPTIONS!

• ·         Signed Parent Handbook & Contract
• ·         State Mandatory Forms
• ·         Medical, Emergency & Immunization forms
• ·         Permission to administer medication(s) form
• ·         Deposit/First Week of Care (Non-Refundable) Paid

I reserve the right to make changed to the policies and procedures, contract or forms, as I deem necessary.  You will be notified in writing of any changes that may occur.

Adjustment Period

 All children enter my child care on a two week trial basis.  This can be a stressful transition for your child if he/she has never been in daycare.  Your child may cry when being dropped off with me.  This change can take some time for your child to get used to.  I will do my absolute best in making this time easier for your child.  Cancellation of daycare services in the first two weeks of care may be given without notice if it does not work out for either party.

Hours

 The daycare is open Monday thru Friday, from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. I only work the hours and days you have contracted.  Extended hours may be available at an additional fee, please give at least 24 hours notice.  Your child shall be present during their contracted hours and days only.  Parents must phone if they will be late in arriving or absent for the day. This will be much appreciated, because meals and activities are planned accordingly.

Drop Off Procedures

 Per State Law, it is required of all parents dropping off their children to sign them in.  The Sign In / Our Sheet will be dated, and will ask for your child’s time dropped off, name and signature of person dropping your child off, and the name and signature of the person expected to pick up your child.  If another authorized person who does not usually carry a car seat in their car is picking your child up, PLEASE make sure you leave your child’s car seat here.  It is your responsibility.

Pick Up Procedures

 As you signed your child in, you must also sign them out as well.  The Sign In / Out Sheet must be completed and signed by the person picking up the child.  The sheet will continue to ask for the time your child was picked up and signed. 

Please make sure to have a car seat for your child at all times!  It is Oklahoma Law that children who are under the age of six years old are required to be in a car seat.

To ensure the safety of your child, only you or your designate may pick up your child.  If that person is not listed on your emergency list, you will have to make arrangements in advance and they must provide a form of state issued identification.

Verification of Legal Custody

I must have a copy of the court order recognizing the parent who has legal custody of the child, as well as visitation schedules.  Otherwise, I have no choice except to release the child to his/her biological parent.

Parental Intoxication At Pick Up Time

I will not release your child(ren) if I smell alcohol on the breath or suspicious behavior of the person picking up the child.  I will call the appropriate authorities. The safety of the children comes first.

Registration Fees

 I require a NON REFUNDABLE registration fee of $100, per child, for all families. The registration fee covers all of your child’s mandatory forms, handbook and contract. Your child’s spot is not considered reserved until paid. I will only hold a spot for 30 days.

Childcare Tuition and Fees

 Your specific rates will be outlined in the Child Care Contract.  I reserve the right to change rates with a thirty day notice.  Depending on which payment schedule is approved (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly), all payments must be collected as stated on the contract.  I accept cash, as well as *personal check, cashier’s check/ money orders. Tuition is priced for a maximum of 10 hours per day of childcare M-F.

Childcare Rates

Teacher rates are $175 weekly (If taking June and July tuition free).

Infants (6 weeks- 3 years.) $165 Weekly.

Drop-In Rates (if space permits) $40 Per Day M-F within normal operating hours.

$25 Late Payment Fee, Per Child, Per Day

Tuition is due on Monday. If payment is not made by the end of business Monday, a $25 late payment fee, per child, per day will be added to your account. If you account becomes 1 week overdue it will be necessary for me to take action up to and including termination. Should daycare be closed for a holiday on your pay date all payments must be received the day before by 5:30pm.  If you child is absent on your pay date, you are still required to make your payment.  Late fees will include Saturday and Sunday.  I will take all outstanding accounts to court and collections.

$1.00 Overtime Fee for every 1 minute, Per Child

I will allow a late grace period of 5 minutes.  Overtime fees will apply when your child is in my care later than the contracted hours.  I realize that emergencies do happen.  A quick phone call to let me know you’re going to be late is important.

$40 Fee for Returned Checks + Any Fees Incurred

Personal Checks are accepted.  However, there will be a $40.00 charge for all checks returned N.S.F plus any other charges incurred to myself and/or the bank.  Parents who have two NSF checks will be required to pay by cash or money order thereafter.

ABSENTEE REFUNDS

Because I have reserved a space in my daycare for your child, there are NO REFUNDS in tuition or fees for absences due to a child’s illness, vacation, or any other reason, Fees are required regardless of whether or not your child attends.  I will not substitute for hours or days missed.

Holiday’s / Sick Days / Termination

 On days that I am closed because of illness, conferences, and appointments no payment is required.  I will notify you as soon as possible as to when Daycare will be closed. In case of inclimate weather, I will be closed when Edmond Public Schools are closed, with pay. In addition, I will take up to two weeks per year personal vacation time.  Remember, all parents should have a backup plan in case I have to take emergency / sick time off.  Parents are responsible for providing alternate short notice care and financial responsibility for any other daycare provider’s fees.

If daycare is closed on your pay date, payment is due the day before. 

Provider’s Holidays

I am closed on the following holidays with  pay:

*PLEASE NOTE:  If the above holidays fall on a Saturday I will take the Friday before off.  If the holiday falls on a Sunday, I will take the Monday off.

Parent/Child Vacation

Parents are still required to pay for their child’s space (remember, even if your child is not present, it is reserved for your child).  You are allowed 1 week of vacation tuition free per calendar year. Teachers will not be given any sick or vacation day’s tuition free, because they receive the months of June and July tuition free. Days must be used in the same calendar year accrued. Vacation/Sick days may only be used after child has been attending for at least 90 calendar days, unless prior approval has been given. If childcare begins after the month of May, only 2 vacation days will be given for the first year. We ask that notice be given at least two weeks in advance for usage of tuition free vacation days; however they may be used for sick days at a total of five per calendar year. Any vacation taken beyond the allowed week(s) in a calendar year is 100% tuition. Pay is expected IN FULL before you leave.

Teachers Plan

Teachers are given the months of June and July tuition free under the modified plan. Teachers will not be given any sick or vacation day’s tuition free, because they receive the months of June and July tuition free. Under the teacher plan, a $100 non-refundable deposit per child will be required to hold the Childs position, which will be credited toward tuition upon return. Full tuition is due for the months of May and August and must be paid at a minimum weekly. Deposit must be paid before vacation begins and is forfeited if child does not return.

Termination of Care By Parent

Should you no longer require my daycare services, please notify me fourteen days in advance (NOT including Parent or Provider’s vacation time), in writing with an explanation and last day of care.  If I do not receive proper notice in the amount of time required, your child will no longer be able to return to our facility in the future. Your notice allows me to fill the vacancy and it is vital to my daycare.

Termination of Care By Provider

I may terminate our childcare contract immediately for any of the following reasons (but not solely limited to):

• Failure to comply with the policies set forth in this book.
• Failure to comply with the contract and fees.
• Destructive or hurtful behavior by the child that persists even with parent cooperation in stopping the behavior.
• Recurring non-payment and/or late payment of childcare fees.
• Failure to show up for 3 days in a row without any communication.
• Failure to complete required mandatory forms.
• Inability to meet the child’s needs without additional staff.

Teacher Clients / School Employees

Throughout the traditional school year, you are responsible to pay for 100% weekly tuition fees due upon the chosen due date, regardless of illness, schedule changed, vacations, school closings, etc.

Parental Maternity Leave

Maternity leave will be considered on a case by case basis, to be discussed with the provider at least thirty days before leave begins. If you choose to continue to bring your child on a modified schedule, 100% of your weekly fee is due.  I would encourage you to bring your child so there won’t be a change in the normal structure of his/her day.  Transition back to daycare with a new sibling may be difficult, especially after spending 6-8 weeks at home with mom. If maternity leave is granted a $100 non-refundable deposit per child will be required. Deposit must be paid before vacation begins and is forfeited if child does not return.

Meals/Snacks

As you know, eating nutritious and balanced meals and snacks are part of keeping a child healthy.  All meals I prepare meet the state and federal standards for children.  Please let me know if your child is under any dietary restrictions, whether it be for religious or medical reasons. You will be required to provide all special diet foods that will not be easily accommodated. Children in my care will all receive the same meal, drinks and snack.  This will be a rotating menu.  Of course, I will try to incorporate meals they like into our weekly menu. Snacks are provided at mid-morning and mid-afternoon when the interval between regular meals is four hours or longer. Formula and baby food must be provided for Infants. Baby food must be in unopened jars per Oklahoma County Health Department. Please do not bring food from home (unless they are on a special diet).

If your child arrives at the end of a meal or just after, please feed them before you come.  We are not on a strict schedule; however please understand that once I stop serving for that meal/snack I am done.  Sometime in the future, I may consider using a food program through a state funded agency to provide for meals.  If this happens you will receive more information.  Also, please DO NOT BRING FAST FOOD!  This causes a disruption for the other children.

Junk Food & Pocket Change

Unless it is a party (upon parent’s consent) for a child’s birthday or holiday party, I do not give gum, soda, or candy.  If one child comes with candy it leads to disruption.  They either don’t have enough to share or it isn’t age appropriate for all the children.  I’d rather avoid the situation all together by being preventative and asking that it not be brought into the daycare home.  If you would like to send some with your child, please speak to me ahead of time and bring enough for everyone.  If they already have them, I will take it and put them away until you pick up your child.

The same holds true for pocket change and money.  Your child might be old enough to carry change around but might drop it around one of the smaller children.  It could cause a choking hazard, so I ask that they leave it at home.

Nap & Rest Time

I have set a nap time aside for the children.  Infants normally will sleep on and off throughout the day. Nap time is required by DHS for children Pre-school age and under. We will provide Individual sheets and blankets for each child, which are sanitized on a weekly basis. The proposed nap area will be in their designated Pack-N-Play for infants or on comfortable mats on the floor for toddlers. Nap times will be from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM for toddlers, and as needed for infants.

Transportation With The Provider

Our daycare does not transport to and from school at this time. I will transport in case of a forced evacuation. Any other transportation will be covered on a signed permission slip on a case by case basis. You will need to provide a car seat for each child on days transportation is necessary, i.e. field trips. I ask that infant car seats be left with me daily in case of forced evacuation. If your car seat has a removable base, you do not need to leave me the base because they can be attached using seat belts.

Emergency Info Updates

Parents must submit in writing any changes of employment, home address, phone numbers, physicians & dentists, and names and information of alternate emergency contacts.  I will require all Emergency information to be updated yearly.  This is extremely critical for the safety and well being of you child.

Daily Program

 Like most family homes, ours has a flexible routine that can change from day to day.  This is just to give you the parents, an idea of how our day will go:

*Children will have their choice of activities such as watching an education TV program, art, play, read books, puzzles, etc.  Outside activities will depend on weather conditions

Health Safety and Illness

To keep this a healthy and safe home for all, I ask all parents to keep sick children at home.  We need to be considerate to all families in daycare.  Moreover, sick children want care from their parent in the comfort of their own home.

If other children become ill due to exposure to your sick child, either because he/she was returned to childcare before they recover or he/she was not picked up promptly upon notice of being ill, other families will be unnecessarily inconvenienced.  If my family or I become ill due to exposure to a sick child, all of the children may need alternate care.  This is disruptive to all.  Cooperation is extremely important on this issue.

Obviously, it will not be possible to avoid the spread of all infectious illnesses.  However, minimizing exposure, and providing good hygienic procedures in the childcare home are helpful means to limit and control the problem. If in doubt, please play it safe and do not bring them. This same protection is enforced for your child’s well being.

The Health Department regulations prohibit the admittance of any child into a family childcare home that exhibits any of the following symptoms:

• ·        
• ·         Diarrhea – Child must be symptom free for 24 hours
• ·         Vomiting – Child must be symptom free for 24 hours
• ·        
• ·         Common cold- Excessive coughing, barking cough etc…
• ·        
• ·        
• ·         Lice – Child needs to be treated before return (no nits at all)
• ·        

I have the right to refuse to care for a sick child.

Medication

Per Oklahoma State regulations, a signed authorization form from the parent is required with written, dated permission, giving the exact dosage and times to be administered any time a provider is asked to give a prescribed medication, as well as Children/Infant’s Tylenol or Motrin, or OTC (Over the Counter) meds to a child while in my care. Medicine will only be given if it is in the original container.  Any meds you bring for your child will only be used for your child or his/her sibling.  It is not shared with other children.

Prescription medication must be in original bottle with Childs name and dosing information.

Parents will supply all prescription and non-prescription meds.  Never leave meds in the diaper bag or backpack.  ALWAYS hand me the meds personally.

Injuries

I will make every effort to ensure the safety of your child while in my care.  Unfortunately, minor accidents may occur. If your child becomes injured while in my care, an accident report will be filled out. I will notify parents immediately of any illness or accident, which required first aid treatment.  In the case of a serious accident or injury, I will make every effort to contact you immediately.  If I cannot contact either parent, I will call the emergency contact numbers supplied to me to make the medical decisions for the child.  If I feel the injury is life threatening I will call “911” or will have the local ambulance company take your child to the nearest hospital.  Parents are responsible for any medical and ambulance bills.

Allergies

Please let me know on your child’s emergency form if he or she has any allergies of any kind, and what medications are required (with your written consent) for treatment.  If medications must be carried with your child at all times, it is your responsibility to provide an extra prescription for me to keep in my home.

First Aid and CPR

I am mandated by Oklahoma State Law to be First Aid & CPR Certified.  CPR Certificates,and First Aid Certificates are renewed  every two years.  For minor injuries such as cuts and scrapes, I can only clean cuts with soap and water and cover with a band aid.  In the event of other severe injuries, such as broken limbs, unconsciousness, 2^nd – 3^rd degree burns, etc., I will call 9-1-1 and will then notify you.  An ambulance will provide transportation to the hospital for your child.  Because I have other children in my care, I will not leave with the ambulance.  Therefore, I do not provide the children transportation to the hospital.

Immunizations

Oklahoma State Law requires that all children enrolled in daycare must have signed, and up-to-date immunization forms kept on file at daycare.  This must be completed or up-to-date before your child can be admitted into daycare.  If immunization records are not kept up to date, it may result in suspension, or termination of care or enrollment.

Emergency Procedures

Fire Drills and Tornado Drills

I have monthly fire and tornado drills that are documented. In the event of a tornado we will be in the closet under the staircase. In the event of a fire we will evacuate from my home West to the end of the Cul-de-sac. In the event of a forced evacuation from my home (flood, gas leak, etc.) we will go to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 308 NW 164^th St.  Edmond OK, 73013.  Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is located on the south side of the street approximately 2 blocks west of Santa Fe on 164^th.

Parents must pick up your child within 1 (one) hour of personal notification.

Discipline

Discipline is a learning process and not a punishment.  Misbehavior will be handled in a firm, consistent and POSITIVE manner.  Some of these methods would consist of:

• Providing children with the reasons for limitations
• Giving positively worded directions
• Helping children to constructively express their feelings and frustration to resolve conflict
• Arranging equipment, materials, activities, and schedules in a way that promotes desirable behavior.
• Using fair limits consistently applied and appropriated for the child’s understanding/level of development.

No child will be handled roughly, shamed, or humiliated.  No corporal punishment will be used, even at the request of parents.  Age appropriate time-out procedures work well.  My philosophy on discipline is to help children gain respect for each other and themselves, and to teach constructive and positive alternatives when conflicts arise. At no time will cussing, violence or any uncontrolled behavior be allowed. When a child cannot control his/herself, the parent will be phoned and given the opportunity to talk to your child to regain control. If the phone call is unsuccessful and the child continues to behave in an inappropriate manner, the parent will receive a second call asking that the child be picked up for the day. If the control becomes an issue on a regular basis, the child will be dis-enrolled.

Diaper Bag Supplies

Please don’t bring your children dressed in their “Sunday Best”.  There will be outside play as well as age appropriate activities, and self-feeding, which clothing may become stained.  I will do my best to keep them clean, however it is impossible to keep clothing clean all of the time.  So please bring them in play clothes. Please label all items brought for each child, including all bottles and baby food.

Diapers

Parents need to provide the diapers and wipes. All children must have those necessary items. If a child is dropped off without these items, I will supply them for that day. A $5.00 charge for a days worth of diapers or a $2.00 charge for a days worth of wipes will be billed to your account.

Potty trained and diapered

toddlers must have in their bags:

Infants (24 mos. And under) must

have in their diaper bags, or left at daycare:

• Extra Change of Clothes
• Sweater / Jacket
• Extra Underwear
• Sandals / Shoes and Socks
• Sun Block

• Extra Clothes
• Sweater / Jacket
• Bottles
• Baby Food

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Powder
• Rash Ointment
• Formula

Toilet Training

When your child shows readiness for toilet training, this will be done in a relaxed manner and in cooperation with you.  I will only begin to help potty train a child after you have successfully began training at home for one week.  Remember, consistency is key!

Pets

I do not have any pets at this time.

Damages

While we all realize their will be wear and tear on all the childcare equipment, if your child intentionally damages our toys, furnishings, equipment or property, through destructive behavior or roughness, you will be liable for the damages.

No Smoking!

Smoking is not allowed on the New Beginnings Home Childcare premises or property.

No Concealed Weapons!

New Beginnings Home Childcare prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons by anyone other than Law Enforcement on our property.

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

New Beginnings Home Childcare is required by law to report suspected child abuse and all employees will follow this law. We will contact DHS of any suspected child abuse. No child deserves to be abused or neglected. No tolerance policy.

Location of compliance file is in the kitchen on the table in a folder labeled “Compliance File”.